23

The following day Zadie sits at a dining table on the floor above where she sleeps. The table has all sorts of foods laid out, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, hash browns, diced fruits to go with the pancakes and waffles, and other breakfast foods. Ernon sits at the head of the table with Zadie to his right. She grabs a blueberry muffin, taking the paper liner off the bottom.

She still hasn’t come to terms with everything explained to her last night about her father and mother. Zadie closes her eyes, searching for Blade’s mind, although she can’t find him no matter how far she searches.

“Are you alright, dear?” Ernon’s voice breaks Zadie’s concentration. She opens her eyes. “Yes, I’m fine.” She takes a bite of her muffin, chewing it slowly. A maid in a red uniform fills up Zadie’s glass with water. Zadie notices a square bandage on her neck. The maid backs away once the glass is full, standing against the wall.